Date of Degree
2010
Document Type
thesis
Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Department
Art
First Advisor
Sarah Kanouse
Abstract
With the quick abandonment of VCR technology and the adoption of digital and online replacements, people give up freedom and personal power in the name of perceived convenience. VCRs and VHS tapes served two needs: the need to time-shift programming and the need to archive The internet and DVR technology fulfill the first need, that of time-shifting, but completely ignore the need of people to archive, which is a need many people don't even realize they have until they are no longer able to archive programs in both an audio/visual and physical manner. The disappearance of physical recording also makes it impossible for others to use ones VHS tapes for anthropological investigation. DVR records do not end up in thrift stores, or flea markets, and are not easily bequeathed after a person passes. By investigating one man's VHS collection, encouraging others to use tapes, and using tapes as a raw material with which to create new work, I hope to inspire others to realize what they have lost, or perhaps, given up.
Pages
iii, 23
Bibliography
19
Copyright
Copyright 2010 Joshua Ryan Eklow
Recommended Citation
Eklow, Joshua Ryan. "My first word was "video"." thesis, University of Iowa, 2010.
http://ir.uiowa.edu/etd/493.